Denver residents offer mixed reactions to Biden dropping re-election bid

President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race drew mixed reactions around Denver on Sunday.

Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrats' nominee and face Republican candidate Donald Trump in November.

The Democratic nomination is likely to be decided during the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

After the news broke that Biden was withdrawing from the race, some Denverites were surprised but others had been expecting Biden’s exit.

Denver resident Rhiannon Stratton anticipated Biden dropping out, but said, “I didn't think it was going to be so soon.”

"(Biden's) just not been, you know, his 100% like he was in 2020,” Stratton said as she strolled through the Denver Botanic Gardens on Sunday. "I have a friend in D.C. I was talking to last night when I was out, and they were saying it was coming. So I had a feeling."

Michael Smith, a local who was discussing Trump’s chances with a friend on Sunday, said he’s been calling for Biden to exit the race since the recent debate against Trump in which Biden stumbled.

“I’m a little worried that a lot of folks in the party are going to turn around and go right to Kamala Harris, which I think would be a mistake," he said. "It’s going to be messy until the Democratic convention. I think it would be a really good conversation to have and find the person that is most electable.”

Smith said of Biden: “I thought he’s just not the most electable person anymore, to beat Trump. I’m really excited about what happened today.”

"We'll see what happens," Stratton added. "If they push Kamala, or if they push someone else. Kamala would make most sense to me."

Olivia Novony, a friend of Stratton’s who was also walking through Denver Botanic Gardens on Sunday, reacted the another way.

In fact, she was shocked.

“It's still sinking in,” Novony said while taking photos of the flowers. “It's kind of like, juxtaposed with the beautiful, peaceful serene lavender, and then, this shocking news.”

She added, “What’s happening right now is incredibly divisive.”

“And finger pointing,” Stratton said.

Some Denver residents cited worries over what’s next.

“We are sad and concerned,” said David Tippett, a Denver native who spoke with two other family members about the news. “I don’t think Kamala would lead the ticket, but she needs to stay in the race because of all the campaign funding.”

Calista Mateuszczyk, a Denver-area resident who said she was surprised by Sunday’s news, said “Americans have felt on edge politically since the 2016 election."

While talking about who would be the next nominee, she added, “Democrats nor centrist Republicans haven’t had the opportunity to get behind someone that represents their political sentiments in an exciting way in a long time.”